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Stuffed dates are ready in 15 minutes and make the best snack or appetizer. Learn how to make stuffed dates 4 ways using simple ingredients.
Dates are one of the Middle East’s favorite snacks year round, especially during the month of Ramadan. From luqaimat with date syrup to date cookies, date cake and Persian banana date shake, we use dates in many different ways. Today I’m going to show you 4 ways to make stuffed dates, all delicious and easy! And if you’re in the mood for something crispy and creamy, don’t miss my crinkle cake, a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s just as simple to make.
Table of Contents
What Dates Are Best For Stuffing?
While there are many types of dates out there and you can essentially stuff all of them, my favorite dates to use for this recipe are medjool dates. They are chewy, soft, large and perfectly sweet.
Medjool dates are a native of Morocco, but they can be found in other parts of the Middle East and even warmer parts of the United States. You can find them in many supermarkets as well as Middle Eastern and Mediterranean shops.
Ingredients To Make Stuffed Dates
- Dates: Medjool dates work best for this recipe because they are large and very soft. You don’t need to peel the dates, they just need to be pitted.
- Cheese: I used goat cheese and feta, both work well. You can also try labneh.
- Nuts: My favorite nuts to use are almonds, walnuts, pistachios and cashews.
- Nut butter: I used peanut butter but almond or cashew butter work too.
- Chocolate chips: Bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate chips go so well with nut butters.
- Honey: To elevate the flavor of goat cheese, I like to add some honey.
- Desiccated coconut: The combination of coconut and date is a classic and loved by many.
Stuffed Dates Combination Ideas
- Goat cheese and honey: Dates are stuffed with goat cheese and topped with ground pistachios and honey.
- Feta and walnuts: Stuff the dates with some feta cheese and top with a piece of walnut.
- Peanut butter and chocolate: Fill the dates with peanut butter and top with chocolate chips.
- Nuts: Dates are stuffed with pistachios, walnuts, almonds or cashews and then topped with desiccated coconut.
How To Make Stuffed Dates
- Using a small knife, cut the dates open and take the pits out. Make sure to keep the dates intact on one side and not to cut them all the way through.
- Fill the dates with the filling and topping of your choice.
- Press both sides of the dates with your fingers to make sure the filling is stuck to the date.
- Enjoy as is or heat in the oven at 350 degrees F for 5 minutes. Serve as an appetizer or snack with some freshly brewed tea.
Storage and freezing
You can store the stuffed dates in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. You can serve them cold, at room temperature or reheat them in the oven at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.
It’s also possible to freeze stuffed dates. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 1 hour. Once they’re hard to touch, transfer them to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months. To serve, thaw them in the fridge overnight or reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes until heated through.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, these stuffed dates don’t lose their flavor and texture if they’re made ahead of time. You can definitely these up to 2 days in advanced keep them in the fridge until ready to serve.
There is no need to soak the dates prior to stuffing them since they are already soft and chewy.
More recipes using dates
Persian Recipes
Persian Banana Date Shake (Majoon)
Cakes and Cupcakes
Date Cake with Walnuts Recipe
Dessert
Date Walnut Cheesecake Bites
Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!
Stuffed Dates Recipe (4 Ways)
Ingredients
- 24 Medjool dates
- 4 oz goat cheese
- 2 tbsp ground pistachios
- 3 tbsp honey
- 4 oz feta cheese
- 1/3 cup walnuts
- 3 tbsp nut butter
- 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup mixed nuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews and walnuts
- 1 tbsp desiccated coconut
Instructions
- Slice open each date and take out the seed. Make sure not to cut the dates all the way through and have them intact on one side.
- For goat cheese honey: Fill the dates with goat cheese and dip in the ground pistachios. Then drizzle some honey on top.
- For feta and walnut: Stuff the dates with a chunk of feta and top with a piece of walnut.
- For nut butter chocolate: Fill the dates with the nut butter and top with a few chocolate chips.
- Nuts and coconut: Stuff the dates with a few nuts and top with desiccated coconut.
Video
Notes
- Medjool dates are best for this recipe because they are soft, large and chewy.
- You can serve stuffed dates cold, at room temperature or warm. To serve them warm, heat them in the oven at 350 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- To freeze stuffed dates, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for one hour. Then transfer them to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months. You can defrost them in the fridge overnight or in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was sponsored by Sunbutter.
These made the best after school snacks for the kids – healthy and delicious. Thanks for sharing!
I love these stuffing ideas.! We always have an abundance of dates, and this is the perfect way to enjoy them!